Electric switch-alarm.



a'nmntop I 25571726 at/7x9 W. P. J. ENTRIKIN. ELECTRIC SWITCH ALARM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1909 Wit" V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

-WILLIBE F. J. ENTRIKIN, OF PARKESBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH-ALARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1910.

Application filed June 19, 1909. Serial No. 503,082.

To all whom 'it may concern: v

Be it known that I, WILLIBE F. J. EN'FRI KIN, a citizen of-the United States, residing at Parkesburg, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switch-Alarms, of which the following is a specification.

- closed electric circuit, in which is located an of. misplaced swltch point.

My invention relates to an improved electric switch alarm, the object of the invention being toprovide an electric switch alarm, in which the points of a single or series of switches are connected, in a normally electro-magnet, normally maintaining open a circuit with an alarm, so that in the event of a misplaced switch point, the main circuit will be'broken, the electro-magnet deenergized and the circuitwith the alarm closed, to sound an alarm, and give warning A further object-is to provide improvements of this character, in which the switch points at both ends of a crossover, control electric circuit closing means, whereby, unless the switch points at both ends of the crossover are properly positioned, the alarm will be sounded.

Heretofore a great many apparatuses have been devised to sound an alarm in the event of a misplaced switch, but when such de? vices have switch points at one end of a crossover properly positioned, the signal to the operator will show a perfect crossinvention consists in certain novel features over, where as a matter of fact, the switch points, or one of the switch points at the other end of the crossover may be'improperly placed, and a wreck might result. To obviate any possibility of such an occurrence, m invention was devised, and will now be escribed in detail.-

With these and other objects in view, the

of construction, and combinations and ar rangements of partsas will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out' in the claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is-a diagrammatic (plan view illustrating my improvements, an 2, is an. enlarged view in longitudinal section illustrating one of the electric circuit closers. i 1

1, 2, 3 and 4, are parallel tracks, and 5, 6,

.7 and 8 are crossovers having-switch points.

9 at the ends of the crossovers, each air of switch points being connected by a re 10 so as to compel each pair of switch points to move together. Each of these rods 10,.which project beside the track, has a circuit closing ball 11 secured thereto, and is adapted to close an electric circuit between either of two pairs of contacts '12 and 13, of an electric circuitcloser, as shown in detail inFig. 2. Two of these contacts 12 and 13 of each electric switch, are connected as. shown at 14, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The circuit closers for the switch pointsat both ends of each crossover 5, 6, 7 and 8, are connected by electric wires 15, each wire 15 connecting the contact 12 of one circuit closer, with the contact 12 of the other circuit closer, so that unless both of these pairs of, switch points are thrown to the same open an electric circuit from said battery 17 to a wire 21, alarm 22, and wire 23, back to the battery. This alarm 22 will be located at a convenient point to give warning in the event. of a misplaced switch point.

With the parts as shown diagrammaticall in Fig. l the circuit is as follows: From a attery 17 throu h electro-magnet 18' to the circuit closer o the right hand switch po nts of crossover 6, through ball 11 and contacts 12, thence along wire 15 to the contacts 12 of the circuit closer at the left hand switchpoints of crossover 6, and in ,siinilar manner through the several circuit closers and wires of the several crossover switch points back to the-battery, so that the magnet 18 is energized to hold armature 19 elevated, and maintain open the electric cir-- cuit with the alarm 22. If, for example, the right hand switch points of crossover 6 are thrown, so as to move the ball 11 between the contacts 1 these switch points will-be properly place ftir aicrossover from track 3 onto track 4, and unless the switch points at the left of .the' crossover 6 are also positioned properly for such a crossover, the electric circuit will be broken, and as soon as this occurs, spoon 19 will fail to contact with point 20 and the circuit will be closed to sound the alarm. Hence, if any switch point is misplaced throughout the system, the alarm will ring, and continuously ring until such switch point is properly placed.

\Vhile I have illustrated 'my improvements in connection with a number of switches, it is apparent that a separate alarm may be provided for each switch or any number of switches, so as to readily detect just which switch is out of order, and I do not therefore limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with two tracks, a crossover, and switch oints at the ends of the crossover, of circuit closers located adjacent the switch points and each comprising two pairs of contacts, one contact of one pair being electrically connected to one contact of the other pair, a partial circuit the terminals of which are connected to said connections, cross connections between the remaining contacts of one circuit closer and the remaining contacts of the other circuit closer, a movable contact device connected with and operated by the switch points at each end of the crossover, and adapted to move between and close the circuit between either of said pairs of contacts, a battery and an electro -magnet in said partial circuit, whereby when the switch points at the ends of the crossover are swung in unison to closed position, the electric circuit will be closed through the pairs of contacts with which the circuit closers contact, and when thrown in unison to an open position, the electric circuit will be closed through the engagement of the circuit -closers with the other pairs of contacts,a second electric circuit in: cluding an alarm in a circuit with said batwhereby when said switch points fail to operate in unison, said alarm will be given.

2-- In an apparatus of'the character de scribed, the combination with two tracks, a crossover, and switch points at the ends of the crossever, a circuit closer located adjacent each of the switch points, and each circuit closer comprising two pairs of contacts, one contact of one pair being electrically connected to one contact of the other pair, a partial circuit the terminals of which are connected to said connections, cross connections between the remaining contacts of one circuit closer and the remaining contacts of the other circuit closer, a movable contact ball, a rod connecting said ball with the switch points, at each end of the crossover, whereby said balls are moved when the switch points are moved from one pair of contacts to the other, a battery and an electro-magnet included in said partial circuit, whereby when the switch points at the ends of the crossover are swung in unison to closed position, the electric circuit will be closed through the pairs of contacts with which the balls contact, and when thrown in unison to open position the electric circuit will be closed through the engagement of the balls with the other pairs of contacts, an alarm in an electric circuit with said battery, a movable armature in said circuit normally held by said magnet maintaining said second circuit open, whereby when said switch .points fail to operate in unison the said alarin will be given.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIBE 11' J. ENTRIKIN.

Witnesses:

G. W. Rooms, LINDA M. FULMER.

tery normally broken by said electromagnet, 

